Mystery surrounds 90-mph Newport Beach crash

Police are looking into whether driver Julie Allen, who died in the spectacular pileup, may have been taking medication, sources say. Before the crash, her mother's website cited an incident involving a stuck accelerator

Wendell 'Bud' Hurlbut dies at 92; designed, built attractions for Knott's Berry Farm

Wendell 'Bud' Hurlbut is credited with helping to turn Knott's Berry Farm into a modern amusement park. He created several rides for the park, including two signature attractions: the Calico Mine Ride and the Timber Mountain Log Ride.

Huntington Beach police chase leads in 'Jane Doe' case

After shoes worn by the victim, who was killed in March 1968, were re-analyzed, authorities believe she may have been from Tioga County, N.Y.

Driver at heart of 10-car pileup in Newport Beach was a former Stanford track star

Police say Julie Allen, 27, swerved into oncoming traffic, hitting numerous vehicles and flipping into the air. She was killed instantly. Friends and coaches say she was 'tough, positive, interested in others.'

Allergan seeks bigger market for Lap-Band weight-loss device

The Irvine company has asked the FDA to lower the weight requirement, increasing the pool of potential customers. But critics say Lap-Band surgery is an extreme, risky measure that should only be considered as a last resort.

Fool's gold catches eye of solar energy researchers

A UC Irvine team thinks iron pyrite could be a cheaper alternative to the materials now used in making solar panels.

Orange County's planned mega transit center questioned

Long-planned ARTIC mega transit center is supposed to be funded through a county sales tax measure and has ties to California's uncertain high-speed rail project.

The Orange County Performing Arts Center is changing names

The new name for the Costa Mesa center is Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

Robert Rizzo is serving time behind cars

The former Bell city administrator, who is accused of misappropriating public funds, is working as a parking lot attendant at the International Surfing Museum in Huntington Beach.

O.C. businessman says China won't let him go home

Brian Horowitz says he was detained at an airport and told he must settle a Chinese supplier's lawsuit he knew nothing about.

Great Park project in Irvine gets financing to proceed

The developer, FivePoint Communities, says construction of homes is expected to begin next year.

Newport Beach and a boat owner are on a collision course over restoration

The city is demanding that Dennis Holland finish work on his 72-foot wooden sailboat, which has sat in his yard for more than a year and is an irritant to neighbors.

'Reflections': A showcase for Russian ballerinas

The work is the third collaboration between the Orange County Performing Arts Center and a Russian troupe. This time, it mashes Bolshoi-trained dancers with Western choreographers.

Lawsuit gives Sunset Beach a reprieve in annexation battle

Residents of the coastal enclave, angry about new taxes that will be imposed when they become part of Huntington Beach, file suit to scuttle the annexation approved last month.

Laguna Beach artists struggle to recover from mudslide and flooding

The Dec. 22 storm caused millions in damage and struck particularly hard along Laguna Canyon Road, where many of them live and keep their work spaces. Some were more fortunate than others.

More rain and snow are expected

After a chilly New Year's Eve put the bite on parade-goers and farmers, a 'wet Santa Anas' storm could make driving risky.

Schwarzenegger denies parole for O.C. dentist who killed 3 patients

The governor overturns the parole board's recommendation to free Tony Protopappas, 65, who has served more than 25 years of his 15-years-to-life sentence.

The Find: Zait & Za'atar and Wraps Xpress

The Orange County restaurants make manakeesh — herb- and meat-topped flatbreads — and other eastern Mediterranean dishes accessible to the masses.